As far as different laptop brands go, Apple stands at the very top with its MacBook line. These devices offer a plethora of neat features that justify what many consider to be a premium price tag.
Sure, when compared to other operating systems, some things could be added or improved. For example, the autohotkey Mac integration lets users create certain macros. Or, better compatibility with some third-party peripherals. Besides features, MacBooks are also known for their performance. Compared to how often you need to fix a Mac and another laptop, it is clear that the former is more reliable.
Nevertheless, you can still run into some annoying issues, like the MacBook not wanting to go to sleep to preserve its resources. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why that might be the case along with how you can fix the MacBook not going into sleep mode issue.
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Brief Overview
The possible reasons why your Mac won’t go to sleep are power source connectivity, crashed applications, incorrect Energy Saver settings, malware or spyware attacks, dust accumulation, and more. You can resolve MacBook sleep issues by removing crashed apps, adjusting Energy Saver settings, scanning for malware, free RAM, and updating macOS.
Reasons Your MacBook Doesn’t Sleep
1. The MacBook is not connected to a power source
Let’s start with one that might be obvious but still possible to miss. Laptops have batteries, but you still usually connect one to a power source to avoid unforeseen drainage.
The sleep mode is related to a power source. If the feature is not functioning, plug the cord into an outlet and see if that helps.
2. An application or program has crashed and is preventing the computer from sleeping
Open Activity Monitor and see what processes are running in the background. If you notice an application that is active but you cannot see it on the screen, the odds are that this app has crashed and is clashing with the system when you command the MacBook to sleep.
3. The Energy Saver settings are set incorrectly
Macs have Energy Saver settings that let you enable and disable certain aspects of the sleep mode and other elements.
Perhaps someone else used the computer and changed the settings? Or maybe you downloaded a new OS update, which affected the setup.
Go to the Energy Saver settings menu and see if you can restore the settings to what they were.
4. A peripheral device, such as an external hard drive or printer, is keeping the laptop awake
Connecting a third-party accessory to the MacBook means that it is not just the laptop itself that is part of the setup and active. The peripheral also has to consume energy to work, and if it is connected to the Mac, it is to be expected that the computer will not go to sleep.
5. There’s too much dust inside your Macbook’s vents and fans, causing it to overheat and prevent sleep mode
As a rule of thumb, you want to clean the dust inside your laptop on a regular basis since it ensures a better overall performance.
Note that poor maintenance affects different aspects, including features like the sleep mode, which might not seem like that big of a deal.
6. Malware or viruses may be present on your machine, which can interfere with its ability to go into sleep mode
Similar to dust, malware is another factor that makes its presence known when it snowballs out of control.
In fact, for computer viruses, even a small one can create significant problems, and do not be surprised to see it affect sleep mode as well.
Use reliable antivirus software to constantly scan the Mac and eliminate corrupted data as soon as it gets detected.
7. Your MacBook’s RAM memory is full and needs more space to allow sleep mode
Too much strain on the memory causes conflicts for the computer system, and it leads to some functions not working as they should.
MacBooks have a finite amount of memory, and it should be used conservatively when possible. Do not overburden your device with redundant background processes.
8. Your MacBook’s hard drive may be corrupted, which prevents it from entering sleep mode
A hard drive’s corruption is one of those rare instances, but it is still a possibility worth considering.
If you are not that tech-savvy, identifying the problem can be tricky. However, if you think that the computer’s drive is at fault, seek help from computer service stores.
9. You have installed third-party software that conflicts with your macOS system preferences
Conflicts with applications are not that common, but they can still happen. Let’s say that you install a new application and immediately notice that something is wrong with the sleep mode.
Your natural course of action should be to remove the said application and try again. If deletion solves the problem, you are in luck. If not then you will have to try other methods mentioned in the article.
Final Thoughts
Generally, MacBooks are quite reliable and rarely show signs of performance issues. Nonetheless, if you encounter problems like the one we discussed just now, know that there are quite a few solutions that should help you solve the issue.
FAQs
How Do I Get My MacBook To Go To Sleep?
You can make your MacBook to go to sleep by going to the Apple menu or pressing the Power button to trigger sleep mode on your MacBook.
Does Mac Sleep When Display Is Off?
Yes, by default, Macs go to sleep when the display is off to conserve energy.
How Do I Know If My Mac Is Sleeping?
Check for a pulsating LED on the front, a dark screen, or listen for a quiet fan and disk activity.
